THE ESTIMATES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 196, 18 August 1900, Page 5

THE ESTIMATES.

LARGE INCREASES IN DEFENCE VOTE. ' (By Telegraph—Parliamentary Keporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Estimates of the expenditure of the Government of New Zealand ftfr the year ending 31st March, 1901, were laid on the table of the House last evening. The main items of increase in the Departmental expenditure are:— Superannuation allowance, from £750 to £1384. Subsidies to hospitals and charitable institutions, from £75,600 to £80,000. A proportional part of the cost of maintenance of the Australian Squadron, from £20,924 to £21,304. Old age pensions, from £150,000 to £200,000. The Electoral Department is increased from £2620 to £4850; the RegistrarGeneral's" Department from £4380 to £5740; the Agent-General's from £4350 to £4600; and miscellaneous from £25,603 to £43,121.

The cost of the last general elections amounted to £17,000; the/licensing poll Under the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act to £5249; and the printing and preparation of rolls to £227.

.In the Registrar-General's Department £1000 is set down this session for the census of 1901.

Advances to Cook Island Government, for the purchase of an auxiliary engine schooner, £500. Contribution to Indian Famine Relief Fund, £1500; to Ottawa Fire Relief Fund, £5134. .'■ • ~

Cost of celebrations in connection with the war in South Africa, including proposed peace celebrations, £600.

Expenses under Public Health Act, including bubonic plague prevention, are Increased from £2300 to £5300.

Justice Department: Salary of Magistrate and Warden at the Thames raised from £450 to £475; Clerk and Receiver of Gold Revenue increased by £20; Cleric and Receiver of Gold Revenue at Te Aroha Increased by £55; Magistrate and Coroner at Tauranga increased by £25; and those of the Clerk and Interpreter by £25

Under the. head of prisons, the' salary of the Gaoler at Auckland is reduced from £400 to £300, and that of the Matron is increased by £5. The total salaries for warders are increased from £2605 to £2780. .'■

The Item for promotion of sale of New Zealand produce in the United Kingdom and outside markets is increased, from £100 to £1000. „ Under the head of postal and telegraph salaries the cost of conveyance of mails by sea by the San Francisco service Is increased from £22,500 to £24,000; Suez service from "£4650 to £5200; Vancouver service reduced from £1500 to £1400. Conveyance of irtland mails, Auckland, increased from £5400 to £6600; Thames reduced from £1600 to £1550. > j A vote of £4300 is set down for refund of duty on machinery for Calliope Dock, Auckland. * .■■■.' The salary of the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine and Examiner of Masters and Mates at Auckland is set down at £250.

Improvements to Onehunga wharf approach, £4000. , v A vote of £1000 Is set down for Admiralty service on the New Zealand coast. Drill in public schools, model rifles, £400. Technical education, tools, requisites, and material, increased from £100 to £250. Flags for public schools £1500. Charitable industrial schools and orphanages £10,000. Subsidy towards addition to Nurses' Home Hospital, Auckland (new item) £875. ' ' .-."■.«!.. ;.•;>. .

Agricultural Department experimental station, Levin, new vote, £3000. • Defence Department salaries are increased from £655 to £1269, and the military establishment vote Is increased from £1000 to £2416. Amongst other increases are: Gunners from £3203 to £9016; No. 2 Service Company, one lieutenant, £150; forty sappers at 7/ a day; increased from £1278 to £5110. Adjutant, Auckland, increased from £190 to £275; clerk, new item, £156; 1 mounted drill instructor, 7/ per day for six months, £64. Travelling allowances for Auckland increased from £200 to £300; capitation allowance increased from £18,000 to £30,000; forage and house allowance to £1500. Rent, purchase, repair, etc., of rifle ranges, increased from £1000 to £5000.. Railway fares for defence force increased from £1000 to £2000. Volunteer encampments increased from £4000 to £5000. South African Contingent: Salaries, horses, expenses and 'contingencies of transport and\ equipment, £95,000. Last year £35,000 was voted and £57,064 was expended. Purchase of small arms increased from £14,000 to £20,000. Schools of instruction and expenses of outdoor tactical exercises (new vote), £1000. Volunteer camps of instructioit increased from £4000 to £5000.